Treating Knee Pain Through Osteopathy

The knee is the largest joint in the body and a major weight-bearing joint which all contributes to it being one of the most frequently injured joints in the body.

The knee joint lies between the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) and at the front is the kneecap (patella). It is made up of a number of structures including ligaments, muscles, joint capsule, and two ‘c’ shaped pieces of cartilage or menisci which sit between the thigh and shin.

The causes of knee pain can be divided into two main areas with problems caused by local structures in the knee itself or knee pain due to problems with surrounding joints.

Damage, strain or sprain to any of the structures in the knee can give rise to painful symptoms. This is typically due to a sudden injury such as a trip or fall, as often seen in sports injuries.

Poor alignment of the knee or kneecap and altered joint mechanics in relation to the hips and knees can also cause problems.

Osteoarthritis due to ‘wear and tear’ is a common condition that affects the knee.

Common symptoms in the knee include pain, stiffness, aching, pain, locking, swelling, limping and difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee.

How we can help

We use a wide range of gentle manual treatments depending on your age, fitness and diagnosis and this can include massage, stretching and mobilising the knee joint.

Sometimes your treatment will involve other areas of the body which could affect the mobility of the knee joint including the hip and foot as these can play a role in your knee pain. We can also provide specific exercises to help prevent a reoccurrence of any problems.

X-rays, scans and other tests are sometimes required to make a diagnosis and your osteopath may refer to your GP or a specialist for any additional investigations or treatment.

For more advice on your knee pain, or to book an appointment please call us on (01604) 532853